What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, a Top Secret memorandum for the record from the C-I-A, dated February nineteenth, nineteen-sixty-five, documenting a National Security Council meeting at the White House on February eighteenth, nineteen-sixty-five, regarding U.S. intelligence on China. This record offers a candid look into high-level discussions on Vietnam policy. This document was declassified by the C-I-A on October thirty-first, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Council. It was obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request and is available from The Black Vault archives at documents2.theblackvault.com. The document begins: MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: National Security Council Meeting at the White House at 5:00 p.m., on 18 February 1965 1. The President, Secretary Rusk, Secretary Ball, and Secretary McNamara entered late, after what appeared to have been a consultation in the President's office. Among others present in the Cabinet Room were Ambassador Thompson, Ambassador Unger, Mr. Bill Bundy of State; Secretary Vance, General Wheeler, and Mr. McNaughton of Defense; Carl Rowan of U-S-I-A; Secretary Dillon of Treasury; the Vice President; McGeorge Bundy, Bromley Smith, Chester Cooper, George Reedy, Jack Valenti, and Bill Moyers of the White House Staff. There were a couple of other individuals I did not recognize sitting on the sidelines. 2. The President stated he had called this meeting to review the situation in South Vietnam and that after a few remarks by him, he would ask Secretary McNamara to brief on the military situation and Secretary Rusk to brief on the political situation. The President referred to his speech of yesterday in which, at the end, he spoke about South Vietnam. The speech was made to the National Industrial Conference Board at the Sheraton Park Hotel on 17 February. He repeated the bulk of that speech as to why we are in South Vietnam and stated that the indications were that incidents in South Vietnam were rising, and if they continued to increase, then our response thereto would likewise increase. He did not refer substantively to his prior conversation with General Eisenhower but it was quite apparent to me that he had been much impressed with Eisenhower's views. He did recount that Eisenhower had expressed his deep gratitude on the directive he had received from General Marshall at the time Eisenhower took command in Europe. This was "Proceed to Germany and destroy the German armies." Eisenhower said this was the finest directive he had ever received. The President stated that this was the kind of directive he would like to receive and he would like his field commanders to receive from him. The reference was circuitous and its significance escaped me. I thought perhaps the President would lead into a policy decision giving Ambassador Taylor and General Westmoreland much more flexibility and leeway in planning their operations but this did not develop. 3. McNamara stated that…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Today, A Top Secret Memorandum For The Record From The C I A

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. S. intelligence on China. This record offers a candid look into high-level discussions on Vietnam policy. This document was declassified by the C-I-A on October thirty-first, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Council. com. , on 18 February 1965 1.

Date: AUG 29 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play1:00

0:001:00

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

This is Declassified. Today, a Top Secret memorandum for the record from the C-I-A, dated February nineteenth, nineteen-sixty-five, documenting a National Security Council meeting at the White House on February eighteenth, nineteen-sixty-five, regarding U.S. intelligence on China. This record…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Today, A Top Secret Memorandum For The Record From The C I A about?: This is Declassified. S. intelligence on China. This record offers a candid look into high-level discussions on Vietnam policy. This document was declassified by the C-I-A on October thirty-first, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Council. com. , on 18 February 1965 1.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

Today, A Top Secret Memorandum For The Record From The C I A

Questions about this case

Related cases

From The Central Intelligence Agency, This Is A National Intelligence Estimate

Department Of State Memorandum, Dated Approximately February Nineteen

Declassified Presents A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence

Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report

From The Central Intelligence Agency, An Intelligence Report Regarding U Two

Questions about this case

Related cases

From The Central Intelligence Agency, This Is A National Intelligence Estimate

Department Of State Memorandum, Dated Approximately February Nineteen

Declassified Presents A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence

Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report

From The Central Intelligence Agency, An Intelligence Report Regarding U Two

Get the next declassified case in your inbox